Described as the ‘illegal taking, exploiting, possessing, or killing of animals or plants in contravention of national or international laws’, wildlife crime jeopardises the well-being of wildlife and the sustainable development of countless communities.2 Whilst varying significantly in nature depending on species and region, wildlife crime is the second largest threat to biodiversity according to the World Wildlife Fund, and the depletion of precious biodiversity threatens the ecological stability of the natural environment. Whether driven by the principally commercial pursuits of transnational wildlife trafficking, poaching for blood sport, and medicinal use, or by human population growth, cultural traditions, or poverty, the illegal wildlife trade has an estimated annual worth of $7-23 billion, and the annual worth of global environmental crime is estimated at $91–258 billion.
